Bucket Fillers

We are bucket fillers!

Has your child come home saying he is a “bucket filler” or that someone helped fill his or her bucket today? Are you wondering what that means?

We are starting a new Character Education Program in the Elementary schools in the Bellmawr School District. Below you will find the model we will be using as well as resources to find more information about the program.

The Facts:

• Bucket filling is an easy-to-understand concept: Everyone carries an invisible bucket that holds our good thoughts and feelings. When our buckets are full, we feel happy and when our buckets are empty, we feel sad. Children quickly understand that they can fill buckets when they do and say things that are kind, considerate, caring, and respectful. They also learn that when they are mean, inconsiderate, uncaring, or disrespectful, they dip into buckets and remove those good feelings. Even the youngest child understands that actions and words can either fill a bucket or dip into it. During this school year we are encouraging, reminding, and recognizing everyone’s efforts to be bucket fillers at home, at school, and everywhere they go. We are excited about this new program and look forward to your support.

If you would like to learn more about bucket filling, visit the Bucket Fillers website, www.bucketfillers101.com. Bucket Fillers offer a free weekly e-newsletter for parents and teachers.

Process for implementation is as follows:

• Beginning this school year the children will be introduced to a book called Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids . It teaches children the concept of giving back in a light-hearted but appropriate way. The concept of giving to others is named being a "bucket filler". While hurting others, irritating them, or bullying is named being a "bucket dipper". Examples are given so that children can learn ways to help others at home and school. The best message of all is the affirmation that giving not only helps the receiver but benefits the giver.

What you will see in the school setting:

• In our schools we will have character education bulletin boards displaying our bucket theme. Everyone is encouraged to fill the buckets by saying, writing, or showing kind words, compliments or actions to each other. We have always been strong believers in the importance of building community and being a school family, so this brings our efforts to light in a tangible way. When the child gives or receives a kind action they can fill their individual or classroom buckets. Each classroom will have different materials that will be used to fill the buckets and different rules and ways of using the bucket. Once the class or individual bucket are full we celebrate!

How can you help at home:

• Please use the resources available here and check information coming home with your child about the program.

• Discuss ways to be a bucket filler.

• Encourage your child at home by using the phrases “bucket filler” and “bucket dipper.”